Does anyone here know anything about some mystery chip from Lionel to install in the PWC ZW so it can be used with the Legacy system? To be specific, is there anyone other than Lionel who has this chip or any other way to upgrade the PWC ZW so I can once again use my Legacy remote?

Last spring my wife and kids got me a new Legacy. At first the remote couldn't find itself (or some such error), so it had to go back for an upgrade. To Lionel's credit I had it back in a matter of days. Then I had what I thought were random shorts somewhere in my layout. It turned out that there's a chip issue with the new PWC ZW I bought to use as layout power. The PWC ZW will completely shut everything down after about ten minutes of running with the Legacy remote. I'm told a chip upgrade will take care of this problem. At the time the Lionel parts Dept was being moved, so I had to wait unit early August for this chip. Around late Aug I was told the chip is on back order. As of tomorrow it's November and I still can't run trains with Legacy and the PWC ZW. I really don't want to remove the ZW because it's mounted on my control panel with large holes drilled to wire in the bricks. Every time I run trains I see the Legacy remote charging, but not wired to the layout, and it reminds me of how I feel Lionel gave me a raw deal. At the time I didn't think "back ordered" really meant "don't hold your breath" for this mystery chip. Desperate time call for desperate measures, and I'm sick of feeling burned by Lionel.

Based upon other peoples' experience, I suggest you not keep your CAB2 charging if you aren't even using it. There is a chance that the batteries will be fried by the time you try to use it.

I am also waiting for this ZW chip.

My ZW worked fine with Legacy until I introduced a TMCC pullmor locomotive to the layout.

I have been waiting for about a month.

ETA: I originally posted this late Sunday night, the ZW chip arrived in the mail on Monday 02 November.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Red Bucket,